In a significant step towards easing tensions, the top military officers of the United States and China held a virtual meeting on Thursday, marking the first such conversation in more than a year.

The online discussion between General Charles Q. Brown Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, and General Liu Zhenli, chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission of China, addressed “a number of global and regional security issues,” according to Brown’s office.

The virtual meeting represented a crucial step towards re-establishing communication between the two militaries, which had been frozen for over a year following tensions surrounding then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August 2022.

General Brown emphasized the importance of “working together to responsibly manage competition, avoid miscalculations, and maintain open and direct lines of communication,” highlighting the need for transparency and dialogue to prevent misunderstandings and potential escalation. He further stressed the importance of substantive engagement between the two militaries to minimize the risk of miscommunication and potential conflict.

General Liu, on the other hand, emphasized the need for the US to hold a “correct understanding of China” as a fundamental prerequisite for developing a healthy and stable military-to-military relationship. This statement reflects China’s concerns about US policies and actions perceived as challenging its strategic interests in the region, particularly regarding Taiwan and the South China Sea.

While the resumption of communication between the top military officials is a positive development, US officials remain cautious about the long-term implications. There is an understanding that rebuilding trust and establishing a functional dialogue will require sustained effort and a willingness to address underlying issues of contention.

The success of this initial engagement will depend on the ability of both sides to move beyond rhetoric and engage in constructive dialogue on key security concerns. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this meeting marks a genuine turning point in US-China military relations or remains an isolated event.

The resumption of communication between the top US and Chinese military leaders, despite lingering tensions, represents a significant development in the broader US-China relationship. It underscores the importance of maintaining open channels of dialogue, even during periods of geopolitical friction, to manage potential risks and prevent armed conflict. The success of this initial engagement could pave the way for further communication and cooperation on important security issues, fostering a more stable and predictable relationship between the two major powers. (ILKHA)